Alrighty. That’s a freaking library. How big is this place?
Still exploring, I discovered another hall on the side of a kitchen that was bigger than mine.
Are you fucking with me? This suite is bigger than my parents’ house. We must be on the entire second level.
The rose petals guided me to a black door at the end of the hall. When I walked down, I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was a tiny little cinema room with three rows of seating, a popcorn machine that one would see in an old carnival, and a large screen in front of the seats. I backed out of there, freaked out for some reason. All of this was bigger than what I was used to. Anticipation beat in my heart.
Wow. I’m so out of my element. Breathe. Just breathe.
After chastising myself, I walked back inside the cinema. A large present sat in the front row. Sky blue paper covered the big box. A white satin ribbon was tied around the bulky thing and lay on top in a bow. The paper alone was expensive and decorated in glittering designs. Part of me wanted to take my time peeling it back, fold it up, and save it for later. The other part yearned to tear it all away.
I ended up taking my time, opening it. I just wanted to keep memories of this day, this time with Gio. He’d already changed my life and made me feel so special. What more could this wonderful man give me?
I pulled off the ribbon and opened the lid. A pale blue card lay on top of polka dot tissue paper. I pulled out the card, and his message was embossed in gold.
“Since this is your first time in Salt Lake City, I wanted to show you why I love it. Please, wear what’s in the box. When you’re dressed, take the key and put it in the elevator door near the screen. Meet me on the roof at one.” I looked up and realized that there was, in fact, a small elevator door. Instead of buttons, there was a place to put a key in.
Where does it go?
I checked my watch. I had an hour to get ready and meet him.
My heart hammered in my chest. With shaking fingers, I removed the tissue paper and let out a long breath as I drank in the beautiful gown inside. I had no idea where we were going, but it was upscale.
My bestie, Yvonne was big on fashion. Due to her, I knew a couple of designers’ styles just from looking at the clothes. And in this box, I could’ve sworn Oscar de la Renta had made this gown. If I was right, the gown cost more than my rent for two to three months.
Breathe.
Black and gold, the gown was an extravagant design with decadent embroidery and lustrous, dark silk-satin with striking gold sequin floral embellishments. It was fit for royalty, sleeveless cut with a V-neckline with a crossover front. A fitted waist and a flared skirt with a high-low hemline trailed a dramatic train. A gold, silk-wrapped box of shoes matched perfectly with the dress, even having similar embroidering along the six-inch heels.
Is this really my life?
I stood there in utter shock, half expecting Cinderella’s fairy godmother to pop into the cinema and start singing Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo.
“You are fucking amazing, Gio.” I removed the box of shoes and spotted another wrapped box. A gift within a gift.
You just keep surprising me.
This one was a small, silver-wrapped package that fit in both of my hands. It was thin and rectangular, too big for a ring, and too small for a novel. I ripped open the wrapping paper and pulled out a sparkling, white-gold chain. A yellow diamond pendant dangled in the center and was formed into a tree.
How did he know I would love a tree?
It was sort of a Gullah symbol for so many things—a fresh start on life, positive energy, good health, and a bright future. The tree even represented immortality. Although a tree grew old, it bore seeds that contained its very essence, continuing its life over and over.
The whole moment felt so good, I had to sit down in the front row for a few minutes and catch my breath.
When did he do all of this?
I thought back to earlier.
“Take a shower, princess. I have some surprises.”
A cute little present or teddy bear was a surprise. Tickets to a movie that we hadn’t planned on was a surprise. But what he’d done today was something a person did for their wedding anniversary or to propose. Gio was on another level. All those years I hadn’t given relationships a chance was worth it to be loved by him. One week with him felt like a lifetime of passion and love.